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Ugandae-Visa

Tourism, business and East African leisure travel to Uganda on an e-Visa valid 90 days, single entry.

See who can apply for the Uganda e-Visa, the documents you'll need, and how the application works.

  • Secure payment
  • Clear requirements
  • EU · GDPR-compliant

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Overview

The Uganda e-Visa is the country's online travel authorisation for tourism, business and East African leisure visits, issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control through its official portal. It is the standard route for most nationalities, including travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia, who cannot enter Uganda without a visa or an authorisation arranged in advance. A tourist e-Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of approval and allows a single entry, with each stay granted for up to 90 days, which immigration offices may extend by a further 60 days once you are in the country.

It covers leisure, family visits, business meetings and sightseeing, but it does not authorise paid employment, long-term study or residence, which need the relevant Ugandan permit. Members of the East African Community are exempt and travel without one. The e-Visa links to the passport you apply with, so you must arrive on that same document.

If your itinerary also takes in Kenya and Rwanda, the regional East Africa Tourist Visa is a separate product; this service prepares the single-country Uganda e-Visa, and gorilla-trekking permits are booked separately. Your application is completed in your own language, every answer and the supporting documents you upload are confirmed, and the e-Visa is submitted to the authority so nothing is missed before you travel.

At a glance

The key facts for a Uganda e-Visa application.

Visa type
e-Visa
What you need
Your passport
Validity
90 days
Maximum stay
90 days
Entry type
Single

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

Required for most nationalities visiting Uganda. The e-Visa is valid for 90 days from arrival with single-entry use. East African Community (EAC) members are exempt. The East African Tourist Visa (covering KE+RW+UG) is a separate multi-country product; this service covers single-country Uganda only.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

  • Passport with at least six months validity
  • Recent digital passport photograph
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
  • Confirmed accommodation in Uganda
  • Return or onward flight booking
  • Email address for e-Visa delivery
  • Payment method (one all-inclusive price)

Requirements in detail

The Uganda e-Visa asks for a clear set of documents, and each one must match your passport exactly. You need a passport valid for at least six months from your date of arrival, with at least two blank pages for the entry stamp, plus a clear scan of its photo page. A recent passport-style digital photograph is required, taken against a plain light background with your face fully visible.

You also provide a travel itinerary or tour plan and confirmed accommodation, such as a hotel booking or a host address, together with a return or onward flight reservation. The single most important health document is a valid yellow-fever vaccination certificate: Uganda requires it from every traveller, whatever their country of origin, and children under five also need a polio vaccination. We do not give medical advice, so confirm the exact health rules on the official portal or with your doctor, but a missing or expired yellow-fever certificate is the most common avoidable reason for problems at the border.

Finally, a working email address receives your approval and a payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee and our service fee, with the government portion itemised on your receipt. Check the spelling of your name and your passport number against the passport itself, because a single mistyped character is the error we see most often.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control decides in 1 to 7 business days. VisitPass review: Standard 1-3 business days; Rush 1 business day; Super Rush less than 6 hours. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued. When to apply: start at least two to three weeks before departure so a public holiday or a request for clarification never threatens your travel dates. Submit once your passport, accommodation and flights are confirmed, and keep a comfortable buffer if you are travelling during the gorilla-trekking high season, when both demand and permit bookings peak.

On arrival

Once your Uganda e-Visa is approved you receive it by email; carry a printed copy as well as a saved digital version, because the e-Visa and your yellow-fever certificate are both checked at the border. Travel on the exact passport you applied with, since the authorisation is tied to that document. The e-Visa lets you board and request entry, but the final admission decision rests with the immigration officer at Entebbe Airport or the land crossing, who may ask about the purpose and length of your trip.

Have your accommodation details and your return or onward ticket ready to show, and keep the yellow-fever certificate with your passport rather than in your checked luggage.

Planning your trip

Uganda packs an extraordinary range into one country. The headline draw is primate trekking: the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the chimpanzees of Kibale, both reached on guided forest walks. Beyond the great apes, Queen Elizabeth National Park spreads tree-climbing lions and the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel across the savannah, where a boat cruise drifts past hippos, elephants and shoreline birdlife. Murchison Falls funnels the Nile through a narrow gorge, and at Jinja you stand at the source of the Nile, the base for rafting and kayaking. Lively Kampala anchors most trips, the equator line runs just south of the capital, and Lake Victoria and the Ssese Islands reward a slower few days by the water. The dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February, give the firmest forest trails and the easiest game viewing, though rain can fall in any month, so pack a light waterproof, sturdy walking shoes and layers for cool early mornings. Roads between parks are long, so build generous travel time into your plans. Trekking permits for the gorillas and chimpanzees are arranged separately and book up well ahead.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$300.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

  1. Complete the form

    Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.

  2. Pay securely

    You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.

  3. Receive by email

    Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full Uganda e-Visa guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

  • How long does the Uganda e-Visa take?

    Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control typically issues e-Visas within 1 to 7 business days of submission. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours; Super Rush ships same-day with status tracking.

  • Is yellow fever vaccination mandatory?

    Yes. Uganda requires a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from all visitors regardless of country of origin. The certificate must be presented at the border alongside your passport and e-Visa. Our specialists verify your certificate validity before submission.

  • Is the East African Tourist Visa different?

    Yes. The East African Tourist Visa (EATV) covers Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda in a single 90-day multi-entry product. It is applied for through the country of first entry. Our current service covers the single-country Uganda e-Visa only.

  • Can I drive into Uganda from Kenya?

    Yes. Uganda's e-Visa is valid at land border crossings with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DRC, as well as Entebbe International Airport. The wizard verifies your entry point against the current authorised list.

  • What if my Uganda e-Visa is denied?

    Most denials stem from yellow fever certificate gaps or passport validity issues. Our specialists pre-check these before submission. If denied for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded; the government fee is non-refundable.

  • How long is the Uganda e-Visa valid?

    The e-Visa is valid for 90 days from arrival with single-entry use. East African Community members are exempt. The East African Tourist Visa covering Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda is a separate multi-country product.

  • What documents do I need for the Uganda e-Visa?

    A passport valid at least six months, a recent photo, your travel details and a yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is mandatory for Uganda. A specialist checks everything before submission.

  • Do US citizens need a Uganda e-Visa?

    Yes. United States passport holders need a visa to enter Uganda, and the tourist e-Visa is the standard online route, the same as for travellers from the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Australia. It is a normal requirement for a holiday or business trip, and we prepare and submit your application for you.

  • Can I get a Uganda visa on arrival at Entebbe instead?

    A visa on arrival is available at Entebbe International Airport, but the immigration authority strongly encourages travellers to obtain the visa in advance. Applying for the e-Visa beforehand means your application and documents are reviewed before you fly and your arrival is smoother. We prepare the e-Visa for you so it is ready before departure.

  • What kind of photo do I need for the Uganda e-Visa?

    A recent passport-style digital photograph, taken against a plain light background with your whole face clearly visible and no hat or dark glasses. You upload it during the application along with a scan of your passport photo page. We check that your photo meets the specification before we submit, so it is not rejected at review.

  • Do I need to print my Uganda e-Visa before I travel?

    Yes. Although the e-Visa is issued electronically, you should carry a printed copy and also keep a digital version on your phone. The approved e-Visa is checked at the airline desk and at the border together with your passport and your yellow-fever certificate, so having it ready on paper avoids any delay at check-in.

  • How much does the Uganda e-Visa cost?

    You pay one all-inclusive price that includes the government tourist visa fee set by the Ugandan authority and our service fee, with no hidden charges and the government portion itemised on your receipt. The government fee is paid to the authority, while our fee covers completing your application in your language, checking every answer and your documents, and submitting it for you.

  • How can I avoid having my Uganda e-Visa refused?

    Most problems trace back to small, avoidable details. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months with two blank pages, your name and passport number match the passport exactly, your photo meets the specification, and your yellow-fever certificate is current. We review every answer and document for completeness before submitting, so these common errors are caught early.

  • Do I need a yellow-fever certificate for Uganda?

    Yes. A valid yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required for every traveller and is checked at the border with your passport and e-Visa. The vaccine must be given at least ten days before arrival to be valid, and children under five also need a polio vaccination. We do not give medical advice, so confirm the exact rules on the official portal or with your doctor.

  • Do I need to show proof of funds or an onward ticket?

    It is wise to be ready. Immigration officers in Uganda may ask to see a return or onward flight booking and confirmed accommodation, and evidence that you can support your stay. The e-Visa application already asks for your itinerary and accommodation, so keep those documents and your booking references handy on arrival to answer any question quickly.

  • Can I visit Kenya and Rwanda on the same trip, and do I apply for Uganda first?

    Yes, the regional East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda on one multi-entry authorisation, but your journey must begin in the country you applied through, so plan to enter Uganda first. This service prepares the single-country Uganda e-Visa as standard; tell us your route and we can point you to the option that fits your itinerary.

  • When should I apply for the Uganda e-Visa?

    The Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control decides in 1 to 7 business days. Start at least a couple of weeks before departure so a public holiday or a request for clarification never threatens your travel dates. Submit once your passport, accommodation and flights are confirmed, and keep a comfortable buffer during the gorilla-trekking high season, when demand peaks. The Rush and Super Rush tiers are available for short-notice travel.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

Uganda help desk

Have questions about your e-Visa? Email the Uganda desk and we reply within 24 hours.

uganda@visitpass-online.com

Other destinations we cover

Browse visas and travel authorisations for more destinations.

e-Visas

VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.

Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: visas.immigration.go.ug